The west deck of the M6 South viaduct is currently being assembled in four sections near Chelmsley Wood.
The first 107-metre section will be slid into position over the M6 junction 4 southbound slip road next month, using a specialist hydraulic jack to manoeuvre the 1,250-tonne steel structure across 102 metres onto its concrete piers.
Once installed, the west deck will sit parallel to the 320-metre east deck, which was launched over the M6 in three stages last year. The final phase of that installation was a UK-first, completed while traffic continued to flow beneath the structure. [See report here.]
聽Balfour Beatty Vinci engineer Russel Luckhurt said: 鈥淏uilding on the success of installing the East deck viaduct last year, we鈥檙e gearing up for the first launch of the neighbouring West deck in April. We鈥檙e using the same sliding technique, where a giant hydraulic jack will push the viaduct across the motorway in multiple stages throughout the year. The previous launches provided the team with invaluable experience, which they鈥檙e eager to apply to future works on this eye-catching structure spanning the M6."
The west deck has required an additional assembly stage compared with the east deck. Space constraints, the staggered positioning of the abutments, and the curve of the adjacent loop road have created a shorter launch platform, meaning the structure must be built in four smaller sections before sliding into place.
The M6 South viaduct installation is taking place in four stages. Phase one is scheduled for 11th- 12th April 2026, which will necessitate the closure of the M6 J4 Southbound exit; phase two is scheduled for 13th June 2026 and require no closures. Phases three to four are planned for August and October/November, subject to approvals.
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